My cousin just survived a helicopter crash in the Yukon area, northern Canada. He is the one with major injuries. The pilot died. A friend got minor injuries. My cousin crushed his 3rd lumbar vertebrae, punched his longes and multiple little factures in the face. Here is what the newspaper said:

So John continues to,do well. Very alert tonight and making us all laugh and laugh himself inspiTe of a fractured face. Plastic and oral surgery perhaps tomorrow and then the big day is Monday when they get him up to walk. He is pretty anxious about that. The areas that have sensory deficits are beginning to burn and tingle a little bit, another encouraging sign. He is looking forward to getting outside and seems to,have a great attitude. Many thanks to everyone so far...he says thanks as well. A tough time but you are all helping in a huge way.

I will keep John in my thoughts. I know that burny tingly feeling as that's what I got when the numbness wore off after my horseback riding accident, although my feeling came back very quickly afterwards, and he's had to wait a little while apparently. That sounded like a nasty helicopter accident. I hope he keeps that positive attitude and good sense of humor, because it'll really be a huge help. Rozanne/phyre

"A path of awakening would never suggest that we should be a passive and unwitting spectator of our own repeated disasters, but should turn the power of our attention to untangle the web of complexity." Christina Feldman

I haven't been here much, so I am sending my well wishes to your cousin and his friend. He is lucky to be alive. I do hope he is progressing nicely now since it has been a few weeks since you posted about him.

Hi Wendy, yes he is doing well considering. He always keeps a positive attitude. This is what his brother wrote:

John is doing well. Ribs healed for the most part, sees a dentist next week to see what his next step is for his teeth. Working on wheelchair transfer skills for the time being which he has done super well. GF Strong is a world class facility and it is a great place for him to be.

I, too, have not been visiting much the last couple of months. I was so sorry to read about your cousin, John's, situation, and just want to let you know that my thoughts and prayers will be with John and with you and your family in the days and weeks to come.